Tamil Nadu rain alert: IMD flags very heavy showers in Kanyakumari as monsoon nears Kerala
Synopsis
The southwest monsoon is at Kerala's doorstep, and Tamil Nadu is already feeling it. With Kanyakumari staring at five days of very heavy rain and 14+ districts on a heavy-rain watch, the IMD's 4 June advisory signals an early, vigorous onset — a sharp pivot from the heatwave grip of just last week.
Key Takeaways
The IMD has issued a very heavy rainfall warning for Kanyakumari for the next five days .
Heavy rain forecast for Tenkasi , Tirunelveli , Nilgiris , Coimbatore , Theni and 10 other Tamil Nadu districts on 5 June .
The southwest monsoon is set to make its onset over neighbouring Kerala .
Chennai to see moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning in the next 24 hours .
Kotagiri in the Nilgiris recorded over an hour of rain with dense mist, cutting visibility for motorists.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 4 June issued a very heavy rainfall warning for Kanyakumari district and heavy rain alerts across multiple parts of Tamil Nadu for Thursday, as the southwest monsoon prepares to make its onset over neighbouring Kerala. The advisory comes on the back of two days of widespread showers that have already cooled large stretches of the state.
Where heavy rain is expected
Kanyakumari is likely to receive very heavy rainfall over the next five days under the influence of strengthening monsoon conditions, according to the weather department. Heavy rain has also been forecast for Tenkasi and Tirunelveli, alongside the hilly and adjoining regions of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai districts.
Districts already drenched
In Chengalpattu district, the Madurantakam region witnessed heavy showers for the second consecutive day, with rainfall reported from Acharapakkam, Melmaruvathur, Sothupakkam and surrounding areas. The downpour triggered a marked drop in temperatures and ushered in pleasant weather.
Ranipet district also experienced widespread rainfall, with Sholinghur, Arakkonam, Walajah, Melvisharam, Arcot and Nemili receiving steady showers — a welcome break for residents who had been enduring hot and humid conditions.
In Tirupattur, daytime temperatures stayed high before dark clouds gathered over Vaniyambadi in the evening. Heavy rain lashed Periyapettai, Kacheri Road, Perumalpet, New Town, Janathapuram and Chettiyappanur for more than 30 minutes.
Nilgiris under mist
Kotagiri in the Nilgiris recorded more than an hour of rainfall accompanied by dense mist. Reduced visibility forced motorists to switch on headlights mid-day, and the sudden chill disrupted normal outdoor activity in the hill station.
What's next for Chennai and the south
The IMD has forecast moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning in Chennai and its suburban areas during the next 24 hours. Weather officials said the advancing southwest monsoon is expected to amplify rainfall activity across southern and western Tamil Nadu in the coming days, with district administrations likely to monitor low-lying and hilly belts closely.
Point of View
Vigorous monsoon onset is good news for reservoirs and farmers, but Tamil Nadu's southern and hill districts have a poor track record of absorbing front-loaded rain — Kanyakumari and the Nilgiris have repeatedly seen landslip and inundation episodes in similar setups. The real test is whether district administrations have pre-positioned drainage and slope-stability teams before the five-day spell peaks, not after. With urban Chennai also on the radar, the state's monsoon preparedness gap — flagged year after year — will be back under scrutiny within days.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Tamil Nadu districts are under heavy rain alert?
Kanyakumari is under a very heavy rainfall warning, while heavy rain has been forecast for Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Theni, Tiruppur, Dindigul, Erode, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupattur, Vellore, Ranipet and Tiruvannamalai. The alert is in effect as the southwest monsoon prepares to set in over Kerala.
When will the southwest monsoon reach Tamil Nadu?
The southwest monsoon is set to make its onset over neighbouring Kerala first, with rainfall activity expected to intensify across southern and western Tamil Nadu in the coming days. Kanyakumari is forecast to receive very heavy rainfall over the next five days.
What is the weather forecast for Chennai?
The IMD has forecast moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in Chennai and its suburban areas during the next 24 hours. The spell is expected to bring relief from the prevailing hot weather.
Has Tamil Nadu already received pre-monsoon rain?
Yes, widespread rainfall over the past two days has covered districts including Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Tirupattur and the Nilgiris, bringing significant relief from the intense summer heat. Madurantakam in Chengalpattu saw heavy showers for the second consecutive day.
